Skip to content
Join our Newsletter

Letters to the editor

So, Mitch Rhodes believes Whistler can get into the "business of changing the world" by hosting the World Economic Forum. A noble idea (maybe a tad presumptuous). Is Whistler ready? Possibly. Are the members of the WEF? I'm not sure.

So, Mitch Rhodes believes Whistler can get into the "business of changing the world" by hosting the World Economic Forum. A noble idea (maybe a tad presumptuous).

Is Whistler ready? Possibly. Are the members of the WEF? I'm not sure.

These guys (and I'm certain the large majority are male) have spent hundreds of millions on these meetings since 1971. Yet Rhodes seems to agree with Ray Anderson's observation that "They (CEO's of the top 1,000 corporations and politicians) just don't get it, do they?"

They've been holding these meetings for over 30 years and they still don't get it?

Maybe it's time someone else got a shot. How ’bout this:

First, figure out how much would have been spent to bring all those world leaders, those richest of the rich, to Whistler. The first-class air fares, private jets, convoys of limos, $1,000-a-night hotel rooms, armies of security agents, sumptuous feasts, dazzling multi-media displays.... total it up and add to that the tens of millions that would have been spent on planning and security. Then tell them all to stay home, but send the money (they can afford it).

Next, use some of that money to bring in 1,000 single mothers instead. Invite them from around the world for the first annual Whistler Conference on Changing The World.

No need for private jets and first class airfare – most would probably be ecstatic just for the chance to sit down.

And I don't imagine their egos would be bruised if we brought them up the highway in buses instead of limos. Probably shrug and consider it an opportunity to get to know each other.

Five star suites? Don't need ’em. They're used to sharing space. And as for feasts well, tell a single mom you're gonna make a meal for her, any meal, and watch the tears come to her eyes.

Then, once they're all here and settled in, we get really bold – we give them the many millions we saved by not bringing in the other guys, and ask them to use the money to "change the world."

What would happen? The single moms I know would immediately get food to starving children. They'd get medicine to those who need it, support to victims of violence and war. They'd provide shelter for the homeless, loans to small businesses. It wouldn't take them 30 years to "get it." They'd do it quickly and economically. And they'd make sure there was enough left over to "sustain" their efforts.

They'd likely leave Whistler cleaner and better organized than when they arrived, and they'd probably teach us a few things about sustainability.

Now we're making a difference. Now we're really in the "business of changing the world."

(Oh, and all the extra police could stay home, too – 1,000 single mothers can take care of themselves.)

Van Powel

Whistler

 

The mayor is naked and council can’t tell anyone

Unlike some councilors at Monday’s meeting, I was in attendance to see the debate over the opportunity to host the World Economic Forum in the last week of January 2004. The debate was a surprise; it was less about the pros and cons of hosting such a prestigious conference then it was about the rich who don’t ski and the lack of communication with the Whistler community. It was entertaining to say the least.

Long story short: The mayor and Councilor Milner attended the WEF conference in New York this year to better understand what the conference is about and how it could benefit Whistler if we hosted it. Both support the opportunity and looked to council to concur. It all fell apart because people were not properly informed or prepared to debate the issue on that day under the pretense the public was not involved in the decision making process. The point was raised that although the Whistler Chamber of Commerce, One Whistler and Tourism Whistler support the event and encourage the opportunity based on a lot of facts, they were wrongly informed and their membership does not constitute public input. It was further debated that the conference fights against sustainability, rather than for it; not to mention the ideological debates about globalization, big government, climate change and whether or not Desmond Tutu will rent skis to rip up the back bowls or not. The mayor was left naked alone, with Councilor Milner flapping in the breeze.

Wow, how embarrassing…

Realistically, if Whistler has the opportunity to host the WEF the Resort Municipality of Whistler will only benefit. Our longevity and sustainability as a world class resort is immensely encouraged if we host this forum, not to mention the large amount of financing from the provincial and federal governments for a newly renovated conference centre.

The WEF is a conference that will be hosted over five days, bringing about 5,000 people to a town that can host 57,000. It is not only free advertising around the world, it is an opportunity to showcase Whistler as a community working toward living within its environmental footprint.

I will concur that the conference will be a bit more intrusive than Gay Ski Week, yet I can speak to this issue. My wife and I were in NYC during the conference this year as tourists. Although it is true that the Davos meetings are more similar to hosting the conference in Whistler than NYC, we can report on two accounts.

On the Saturday of the WEF, at 4 p.m., we were to meet a friend staying at the Plaza Hotel in the Oak Room for an afternoon drink. Many of the delegates were staying at the hotel and we were welcomed at the door by security and doormen. We explained we were there to meet with a hotel guest in the bar at 4 p.m., named the guest and proceeded unobstructed to the bar.

On Super Bowl Sunday at 2 p.m. we decided to visit the Guggenheim Museum several blocks up from the Waldorf-Astoria, WEF headquarters. Of course there are police everywhere, but then again it’s NYC. We enter the museum, get our tickets and proceed. Unknown to us there are about 80 or more delegates from the conference milling about in groups of 10 to 20 on guided tours. No machine guns, just well-dressed people from around the world learning about Norman Rockwell, his illustration techniques and the American life he portrays. Although their Sunday attire was different than mine, I actually joined two of the groups for 10 or 20 minutes at a time because their conversations were very compelling and their guide interesting. We left the Guggenheim and flagged down a cab as we stood between two police cars parked and manned. No problem. That was our WEF experience.

There is no denying for five or six days freedom of movement around the new conference centre will be limited to those with security passes if Whistler is able to host the WEF for 2004. There will be peaceful protestors and there will be other tourists. I might not be there, but I rarely go to the village when it’s busy.

Please contact your mayor and council about this issue. Their phone numbers can be found on the municipal Web site,

www.whistler.com/rmow/council . Let your council know if you are for or against hosting this conference because I don’t want to see the mayor naked in public anymore.

Tyler Mosher

Whistler

 

Who stole the soul?

It was with growing frustration, that I spent a few hours at the last council meeting, learning of the municipality’s attempt at a covert plan in green lighting the prostitution of OUR community spirit to a clientele of global elitists, professional riot police and violent protesters.

My amazement grew when I realized that this whole deal was being offered for the gift of a $15 million boob job to the conference centre and the chance for the mayor and crew to get up on the global stage to rub political shoulders with members of some of the most dangerous companies on our planet. Thus furthering their own political careers.

The mayor also seems to think that we might get the chance to speak for an hour at one of these conferences to tell them how we think they can change the world of control. The problem here is that it has been implemented by them, through means of monetary monopolization and personal/Third World debt. The concept of sustainablity to the global elite is not about feeding the people but about continuing to control them. If they wanted to change the world for the betterment of mankind, this reality would have come to it’s fruition years ago.

The financial systems have not changed in 30 years.. Third World countries still exist. Some countries I’m sure could improve their standard of life based on the amount of money spent on hosting this New World Order conference.

In three weeks, the decision will be held by council, to send an open invitation to the World Economic Forum to come use this once proud ski community as their own. It seems like all the important decisions have already been made behind our backs by the municipality. The mayor and councillors Milner, Davies, Wells and Sloan have already stated their acceptance of this event. I almost choked when the mayor preached to those at the council meeting that we owe this little favour to Gordan Campbell and the Liberal government. Hello? Is it just me or is the mayor starting to make some dangerous friends in high places who have a lot of our tax money to throw around?

I don’t know what type of secret perks have warranted leaving the community out of our own democratic decision making process, but I don’t like it one bit. There is an ongoing injustice with the absence of community input into our own affairs. We have been given no opportunity to voice our opinions on this matter.

I believe the future vision of Whistler does not include barbed wire and pepper spray.

I also cannot agree with the mayor’s candy coated version of security for the takeover. This consists of minimal security and 3,000 delegates roaming freely through town while setting up the protesters in a village out on the driving range. If this is the vision the mayor is selling for security then perhaps we are too blinded by the giant dollar signs dancing through our heads to see the truth. The truth being we’re just flat out ignoring the issues that NEED to be dealt with.

Does anyone at municipal staff really understand what type of security measures need to be implemented to secure 3,000 of the worlds most important businessmen and global protesters as well as maintain control of crowds on a busy January ski week?

I urge the mayor and council to heed the wise words of councillors Melamed and Kirk, who speak out about the truth in these matters. These are the type of voices we need in town hall if we are all to make a sustainable future in this town. We need to take some time to grow as a true community, people who talk to one another about issues, before we are forced out onto this global stage to support the agendas of the Global Elite.

Tragically, some members of the municipality have stopped listening to the little people who keep the pillars of this community firmly planted. I believe this to be a recipe for disaster. I just hope it’s not too late come election time in November.

djtone

Lost in Whistler